Extension table



Jan. 5 1926. 1,568,370

- I M. H. FAHRNEY EXTENSION TABLE Filed Feb. 20, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvmmn FIG. 2 MILTON H. FAHRMY BY RAJ M AT TORNEY.

Patented Jan. 5, 1926.

UNITED stares v 1,568,370 rarest QFFiCE.

MILTON H. FAHRNEY, OF CULVEE Ct'iY, CALIFORNIA, ASSZGNOR T MARJORIE ALEXANDRIA FAIIRITEY, (3F CULVER CETY, CALIFORNIA.

EXTENSION TABLE.

Application filed Feb": iary 20, 1924. Serial No. 693,983.

To ail 607207114 5/; may concern:

Be it known that I, MIL'roN H. Fannnnr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Culver City, in the county of Los Angeles 5 and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an extension table adapted for'use as either dining tableor a library table and the like, the construction including leavesv which are normally concealed beneath the table top so as to give the appearance of a usual library table, but which may be readily extended beyond the top at, opposite sides thereof, so as to form an enlarged table suitable for dining purposes.

It is the object of the invention to provide a table of extremely simple construction, which will permit oi performing the entire operation of either folding or extending the same, with a minimum effort, and noiselessly and without disagreeable jaror vibration.

More particularly itis the object of the invention to provide a table having operating mechanism so arranged that initial shifting thereof will elevate the table top with relation to the leaves concealed beneath the same, thereby releasing said leaves from binding engagement so that they may be readily withdrawn to extended position, and

subsequent further shifting of the operating mechanism will lower the table top into the space between the extended leaves and into horizontal alinement therewith, so as to form an enlarged table having a fiat top surface. v

It is a further object of the invention to arrange the operating mechanism so as to lock the table top and leaves relative to one another, when said leaves are in either concealed position beneath the table top, or in extended position projecting beyond the same, said locking means being readily releasable for shifting the extension leaves from one position to another.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide spring means tending to elevate the top withrelat-ion to the extension leaves therebeneath, sothat upon release of the locking mechanism the top Wlii be automatically elevated from binding engagement on the leaves in order that they maybe easily withdrawn to extended position, the

operating mechanism being adapted to then readily depress the table top against the tension of the spring means, to a point between the extended leaves and in horizontal alinement therewith as previously described.

The invention also contemplates the provision of mechanism whereby both extension leaves may be withdrawn by a pull upon either one thereof, in order that the entire operation of folding or extending the table 6 may be accomplished without the. operator changing his position, by simply pulling or pushing upon one of said leaves and manipulating a control rod for the operating mechanism which is positioned adjacent thereto.

Further objects of the invention will be readily understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which: 7 g

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the table, .partly broken away, and showing the leaves in extended position, but before depression of the table top into alinement with the leaves.

Fig. 2 is a. vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 1 showing the table top depressed.

Fig. 4- is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are detail sections on the line 66 of Fig. 2, showing successive stages of the shifting of the operating mechanism.

The frame of the table comprises legs 1 having side pieces 2 and end pieces 3 connecting the legs at their upper ends in order to form an enclosed space for the operating mechanism, said legs also having usual braces 4: connecting the same at their lower portions.

A supporting strip 5 and guide strips 6 extend across said enclosed space parallel to one another, thestrip 5 being midway of the length of the table, and the strips 6 being spaced from opposite sides thereof. said strips being supported by side pieces 2 with the guide strips 6 spaced slightly below the upper edge of the table frame, andv strip 5 spaced below said guide strips. Partitions 7 also supported by the side pieces 2, ex- A tend across the enclosed space of the table frame in vertical alinement with guide strips 6, said partitions being spaced below strips 6 and extending dowmvardly to the lower edge of said enclosed space.

An operating frame is slidable transversely in the enclosed space of the table structure, saidframe comprising transversely spaced strips 8 extending lengthwise of the table beyond partitions 7 and slidably mounted on the upper edges thereof below strip 5, with transverse strips 9 connecting the strips 8 and so positioned as to slide along the inner faces of partitions 7.

The operating frame is shifted transverse- 1y of the table by an actuating rodlO extending from one of the strips S thrQugh one of the side pieces 2, said rod being notched at spaced points 11, 11 and 11". A plate 12 adapted to engage in any one of said notches for locking the actuating rod and the operating frame in transversely shifted position, is mounted on the inner surface of the side .piece 2 through which the rod slides, with a spring 13 normally depressing the actuating rod so that one of the notches will be engaged by plate 12, the

opening through which the rod slides being of a size to permit release of said rod from engagement with plate 12 by lifting-thereon against the tension of spring 13, iny-order to permit sliding movement of said rod.

A knob 14 is mounted on the outer end of the actuating rod and notch 11 is so positioned relative thereto that when said notch is engaged by plate 12, the rod will be fully retracted with knob 1% against the outer surface of side piece. 2 so as to simulate the appearance of a table drawer:

A horizontal toothed disc 15 is journaled upon supporting strip at the center of the table structure, and supporting strips for the respective extension leaves of the table are adapted to slide transverselyof the structure beyond opposite sides thereo 1', through suitable recesses 16 formed in-thc upper edges of side pieces ,2, so that the upper surfaces of said supporting strips will be in horizontal alignment with the upper edge of the table structure.

One supporting strip 17 of the respective leaves abuts against the periphery of :disc 15 at opposite sides thereof. said strips .having racks 18 meshing with the teeth of said disc, and the other supporting strip 19 of the respective leaves slides along the outside of supportingstrip 1701 the. opposite leaf, and has a tongue and groove connection 20 therewith. These outside supportingstnips 19 have a tongue and groove connection 21 with guide strips 6 and slide along the inner faces thereof.

It will thus be seen that retraction or projection of the supporting strips 1T19 for either, leaf will turn (liSC 15 through the tooth and rack connectionso as to also retract or project the supporting strips of the opposite t, the extension leaves end pieces.

of the table being fixed upon the outer end portions of the respective supporting strips 1719 so as to cause such dependent retraction or projection by movement of either leaf.

The extension leaves are preferably the length of the table-top and are of a wl .th :-o that when retracted their outer edges will aline with the side edges of the table top and their inner edges will be spaced from one another at the center of the table as shown in Fig. 5. Retraction of the extension leaves to the position as thus described. is limited by abutment of molding 23 fixed to the underside.of said leavesagainst the side pieces and similar molding 23 is formed upon the end pieces 3, so that the table will present a symmetrical appearance in its folded position.

Movementof leaves 22 to extended pcsi- 9-3 tion is limited by abutment of stops 2-lon supporting strips 17 and 19, against the side pieces 2, so that the inner edges of the leaves will just clear the side edges of the table top and lit snugly against the same. when said top is depressed into horizontal alinement with said leaves as shown in Fi 3 and 8.

The table top 27 is preferably of such size that its edges will extend beyond the ends and sides of the table structure as shown in Figs. 2 and .3, said top being the same thickness as leaves 22, and adapted to bind upon said leaves for concealing and looking the same, when the table is folded as shown in Fig. 6, and arranged for elevation of said top from binding engagement on the leaves as shown in Fig. '7 when it is desired to extend said leaves, and also adapted to be depressed into the space va- Iva rated by said leaves when the latter are extended, so asto rest upon the upper ed ETD;

of side and end pieces 2 and 3 in hm'izonlal alinement with the leaves, as shown in Fig. 8,

Lugs 28 depend from the underside oi no the table top in position to be received against the inner surfaces of end pieces :3,

in the space between the inner edges of leaves when the latter are retra cted, said lugs being guided between strips'2f) on said l The lugs are slotted-as shown at 3 0, with guide pins 31 on end pieces 3 received in said slots. SupportsflzZ are sus pended from pins 31 by springs 555, and abut against the undersides oi" lugs 28 so as to normally tend to elevate the table top. In order to present an unbroken surface at the outer edges of the leaves 22 when the latter are in retracted position with top 2? binding against the same, strips 3% the width of the space left between the retracted leaves, depend from the underside of the table top atthe outer edges thereof as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, said strips being in alinewent. with and adapted to be received in 111) lit) said" space between the leaves in their retracted position.

The mechanism for controlling elevation of the table top by springs 33, and depressing said top against the action of said springs, andalso locking the parts in either the position shown in Fig. 6 or Fig. 8, is arranged as follows:

Supports 3 f extend inwardly from lugs 28 and have brackets depending therefrom in which are journaled rollers 36, and guideways engaging said rollers are mounted on the ends of strips 8 of the transversely slidable operating frame previously described.

Eaeh of the guideways comprises a strip having its ends bent around the strips 8 so as to form a lower track 37, with the ends of said bent strip extending part way back along track 37 in spaced relation above the same so as to form upper tracks 38, and said upper tracks spaced from the lower track a suiiicient distance to form a guideway. between the same adapted to receive roller 36.

Strip 8 at the front end of the operating frame is elevated above strip 8 at the rear end thereof, so that the front ends of the roller guideways are above the rear ends thereof an appreciable distance, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. The roller guideways are horizontal for a short distance adjacent strips 3 as shown at 39, and said guideways are curved upwardly at their medial portious, with the highest points of said curves as formed by lower tracks 37, in the spaces between the ends oftracks 38 of each guideway, and slightly above the base of the horizontal portions 39 of the guideways ad- 'jacent front strip 8, and an appreciable distance above the base of the horizontal portions 39 of the guideways which are next to rear strips 8.

Vi'hen actuating rod 10 is retracted its full diswnce so that notch 11 is engaged by plate 152, the operating frame is at its rear limit of movement as shown in Fig. 6, with rollers 36 received in guideways 39 adjacent front strip 8, so that the engagement of tracks 37 and 38 with said rollers will have lowered the latter and the table top upon which said rollers are mounted, against the tension of springs 33, until the table top binds upon the leaves 22 retracted beneath the same. The engagement of said rollers in the horizontal portion 39 of the guideway will also look the table top against release until the operating frame is shifted forwardly. With the parts in this position the table has the appearance of a usual library table or the like.'

In order to extend the table, actuating rod 10 is pulled out until notch 11 is engaged by plate 12, thereby shifting the operating frame to the position shown in Fig. 7, Rollers 3.6 will thus ride upwardly along the curved guideway until they a're below the open spaces between the ends of tracks 38 of said guideways, thereby elevating the table top by the combined action of springs 33 and the upward curvature of said guideways. The table top is thus released from binding engagement on the extension leaves, so that the latter may be readily withdrawn by a pull upon one of the same. For convenience in thus withdrawing the leaves, a handle is provided at the underside of the outer edge of the leaf which is over the actuating rod 10 thus Jermittin mani ulation of the table without changing the position of the operator;

After withdrawal. of the leaves so as to clear the table top, the actuating rod is pulled out until notch 11." is engaged by plate 12, this movement shifting the operating f-ran'ie to the position'shown in Fig. 8, with rollers E 6 in the horizontal portions 39 of the guideways which are adjacent rear strip 8.

During this movei'nent of the operating frame the rollers will be depressed by their movement along the downwardly curved rear portions of the guideways between tracks 3'? and 38, so that when said rollers reach their limit of movement adjacent the rear strip 8, the table top upon which said rollers are mounted, will have been lowered into horizontal alinement with leaves 22 and resting upon the upper edge'of the table frame in the space between the extended leaves, thereby forming an enlarged table having a flat top surface.

The engagement of the rollers in the horizontal portions 39 of'the guideways will also look the parts against movement rela tive to one another, until the operating Frame is again shifted rearwardly.

To fold the table from its extended position, actuating rod 10 is retracted until notch 11 is engaged by plate 12, thereby again eleva-ting the table top to permit retraction of the leaves, and when theleaves are thus concealed beneath the top, the actuating rod is further retracted to its limit of movement with notch 11 engaged by plate 12, so as to lock the table in folded position, as previously described.

It will be apparent that various changes may be made in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as thus de scribed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

4 1. A table comprising a rigid frame having supporting legs, a top mounted on said frame medially thereof and vertically adjustable relative to said frame, extension leaves fixed against vertical movement relative to said frame and horizontally slidable relative thereto for retraction beneath said top or withdrawal beyond the respective sides thereof, an operating connection causing retraction or projection of both of 41-. A table having arigid frame,-a top said leaves by manipulation of one of the same, and operating mechanism having a control devicevadjacent one of said leaves, said operating mechanism engaging said top so'as to depress the same upon the leaves retracted therebeneath and arranged whereby continued novement of said operating mechanism in the same direction will suecessively elevate said top from binding engagement on said retracted leaves to permit withdrawal thereof, and depress said top into the space between the extended leaves.

2. A table having a rigid frame, a top vertically adjustable relative to said frame, an extension leaf fixed against vertical movement relative to said frame and horizontally slidable relative thereto for retraction beneath said top or withdrawal beyond the side thereof, and a cam movable relative to said top and adapted to engage the same for depressing the table top upon the leaf retracted beneath the same. said cam being arranged whereby continued movement thereof in the same direction will successively elevate said top from binding ongagement on said leaf to permit withdrawal thereof, and depress said top into the space vacated by said leaf.

3. A table having a rigid frame, a top vertically adjustable relative to said frame, an extension leaf fixed against vertical movement relative to said frame and horizontally slidable relative thereto for retraction beneath said top or withdrawal beyond the side thereof, and a cam movable relative to said top and adapted to engage the same for depressing the table top upon the leaf retracted beneath the same and locking said top and leaf relative to one another, said cam being arranged whereby continued movement thereof in the same direction will successively elevate said top from binding engagement on said leaf and thereby release said leaf for withdrawal thereof, and depress said top into the space vacated by said leaf and lock said leaf and top relative to one another.

or withdrawn beyondthe side thereof.

vertically adjustable relative to said frame, an extension leaf fixed against vertical movement relative to said frame and horizontally slidable relative thereto for re traction beneath said top or withdrawal beyond the side thereof, spring means tending to elevate said top relative to said frame, and a cam movable relative to said top and adapted to engage the same so as to lower the top against the action of said spring means and lock said top in binding engagement upon the leaf retracted beneath the same, said cam being arranged whereby continued movement thereof in the same direction will successively release said top to permit elevation thereof by said spring means so to disengage said leaf and permit withdrawal thereof, and depress said top against the tension of said spring means into the space vacated by said leaf and lock said top in said depressed position.

5. A table having a top, an extension leaf adapted to vbe retracted beneath said top spring means tending to elevate said top relative to said leaf, a projection on said top, a member movable relative to said projection and havinga cam slot adapted to receive said projection, the medial portion of said slot being open at its upper side so that when saidimember is moved for alinement of said i projection with said opening the table top may be elevated by said spring to permit free withdrawal or retraction of said extension leaf, and the closed ends of said cam slot being arranged so that when ,aid member is moved to receive said projection therein, the table top willbe lowered against the tension of its spring and will be locked by the abutment of said member against the walls of said slot, with said top either received in the space vacated by said extension leaf when the latter is withdrawn, or binding against said extension leaf when the latter is retracted beneath the table top.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature to this specification.

MILTON H. FAHRNEY. 

